Still plenty of room for improvement

Munster 41 Treviso 10:With 25 minutes on the clock you could have heard a pin drop in Thomond Park. Munster's Limerick citadel was in danger of being stormed by the most unlikely of opponents and the home side were rocking.

Treviso had played all the rugby, scored two thoroughly deserved tries and led by 10 points to no score.

But dreams of the greatest upset in European Cup history were swiftly snuffed out as Paul Warwick imposed his will on proceedings, prompting Tony McGahan’s side into action with the first of seven tries.

Treviso forced the issue early on and Marius Goosen missed a second-minute penalty attempt. Robust defending from Dion Kingi and his pack helped keep Munster out and the home fans were stunned when Williams grabbed the opening try.

Centre Alberto Sgarbi barged his way forward in midfield and Williams’ well-judged chip and chase heaped pressure on the Munster rearguard.

From the resulting scrum, Treviso turned the screw, won a penalty and a swift delivery from scrum-half Fabio Semenzato sent Williams beyond Marcus Horan and in at the left corner.

Goosen failed to convert but his opposite number O’Gara was also struggling with the boot, landing just one of his three first-half efforts.

Howlett rampaged forward, making ground with two hand-offs, but just when Munster were gathering serious momentum, Vilk got back well to touch down an O’Gara grubber kick.

Vilk showed he was equally adept in attack when he gathered a kick through from Williams, shipped a tackle from Lifeimi Mafi and slid over the Munster line.

After a limping Howlett saved a certain try at the other end, Munster built for a decisive crescendo before half-time.

The home pack grunted forward and Warwick took full advantage of a mismatch with Treviso hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini to round him and score to the right of the posts.

O’Gara’s successful conversion closed the gap to three points and Munster moved 12-10 ahead in first-half injury-time.

O’Gara turned down a shot at the posts, taking a quick tap and after seven phases, Warwick’s steepling kick over to the left was brilliantly juggled and dotted down by replacement Dowling.

The second period was effectively all Munster, beginning with Leamy’s try from close range just two minutes in. Donncha O’Callaghan, who came to the fore in the lineout, secured possession for Leamy’s try and also picked off a lineout steal for Fogarty’s 53rd-minute score.

Notching the bonus-point try, the hooker profited from an intricate passing move between de Villiers, Alan Quinlan and the increasingly influential Warwick to power over in the left corner.

O’Gara’s kicking was not up to his usual high standard but Munster, now rampant, did not need the benefit of conversions. With Treviso chasing the game, Wallace, Dowling and de Villiers exploited the gaps in a tiring Italian defence and picked off three more tries.